Why do they get “swag” for bowl games?

Submitted by 1blueeye on January 1st, 2020 at 12:38 PM

Just saw where citrus bowl players get a $400 gift card to Best Buy and a watch. Fiesta Bowl got a $390 Visa gift card(why $390? ) and a watch. I get the “gifts” come from sponsers etc. so why not give a stipend or “gift” for regular season games for players. What makes bowl games the exception? No title IX implications?

The Geek

January 1st, 2020 at 1:03 PM ^

It’s been going on forever. I worked PR for the prime sponsor of the 2000 Holiday Bowl (Texas v. Oregon) and it was pretty ridiculous back then 

Harbaughlin

January 1st, 2020 at 2:46 PM ^

To answer your question the $390 was because the "total value of all gifts" must not exceed a specific amount. I believe it used to be $500 when they did a ESPN thing on it like 10 years ago. maybe a little more now but Anyways most bowls give a gift then they max out the rest via gift cards to hit the exact amount of the max allowed